Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants Reject Contract, Tensions Rise in U.S. Airline Industry\n\nFlight attendants at Southwest Airlines have overwhelmingly rejected a new contract, raising tensions between cabin crew and U.S. Airline management. This could potentially lead to the industry’s first labor action in over a decade.\n\nThe rejected agreement included a 36% pay increase over five years and other quality of life improvements for Southwest’s nearly 19,000 flight attendants. 64% of those who voted rejected the offer, with union president Lyn Montgomery stating that it was not enough to heal the hurt.\n\nOne of the main points of disagreement is boarding pay, as almost all U.S. Flight attendants are only paid when the aircraft door is closed, rather than during the boarding and deplaning process. This is in contrast to Delta Air Lines, the only U.S. Carrier that pays cabin crew for boarding.\n\nCabin crew unions at Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and United Airlines are also in active contract negotiations, with American flight attendants even authorizing a potential strike. Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, stated that flight attendants are furious and their demands are high.\n\nThe pandemic has put flight attendants on the frontlines, dealing with a surge in unruly fliers and enforcing controversial rules like the mask mandate. In addition to boarding pay, another issue for Southwest crews is the work rules that govern flight delays and cancellations, which was highlighted during the airline’s meltdown last December.\n\nMeanwhile, some airline executives have received significant pay increases as their carriers have returned to profitability post-Covid. Pilots across the industry have also ratified contracts with historic pay levels, while flight attendants at American Airlines have not received a pay raise since January 2019.\n\nStrikes at airlines are governed by the U.S. Railway Labor Act, which has strict rules and a lengthy process before a strike can occur. With tensions rising in the U.S. Airline industry, it remains to be seen how negotiations will progress and if any further labor actions will take place.\n\n

Southwest Flight Attendants Reject Contract, Tensions Rise Between Labor and Airline Management\n\nIn a recent vote, Southwest Airlines flight attendants overwhelmingly rejected a new contract offer from the airline. This move is just the latest in a series of growing tensions between cabin crew and U.S. Airline management, potentially leading to the industry's first labor action in over a decade.\n\nThe proposed contract included a 36% pay increase over five years and other quality of life improvements, but it was not enough to satisfy the flight attendants. In fact, 64% of those who voted rejected the offer, with union president Lyn Montgomery stating that it is not going to heal the hurt.\n\nOne of the main points of contention is boarding pay, as almost all U.S. Flight attendants are only paid when the aircraft door is closed, rather than during the boarding and deplaning process. This is in contrast to Delta Air Lines, the only U.S. Carrier that pays cabin crew for boarding. The issue of ground pay and work rules for delayed and canceled flights is also a major concern for Southwest crews, especially after the airline's meltdown last December.\n\nLabor unions for cabin crew at other major U.S. Airlines, including Alaska, American, Spirit, and United, are also currently in active contract negotiations. American flight attendants have even authorized a potential strike.\n\nAccording to Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, people are furious and demanding recognition for their hard work. Flight attendants have been on the frontlines during the pandemic, dealing with unruly passengers and enforcing controversial rules like the mask mandate.\n\nAs negotiations continue, tensions are rising between labor and airline management. While some executives have received significant pay increases, flight attendants have not seen a raise since January 2019, despite inflation driving prices up by 18%. This has only added to the frustration and sense of urgency among flight attendants.\n\n Strikes at airlines are governed by strict rules under the U.S. Railway Labor Act, which includes a lengthy process of mediated talks, a strike authorization vote, and a cooling off period before a strike can occur. The president also has the power to intervene and force workers back to their jobs.\n\nIn a the rejection of Southwest's contract offer highlights the growing tensions between labor and airline management in the U.S. Airline industry.